The Georgia Straight Jazz Society (GSJS) presents something special this Thursday at the Elks.
Three Just in Time ensembles (Plugged In, Jazzy Jems and Vocal Minority) are presenting a variation of Wave, a diverse collection of swing, Latin, pop, calypso, gospel, and folk tunes with a splashy theme.
Singers, under the direction of Wendy Nixon Stothert, will take the stage to take listeners on a musical voyage Beyond the Sea. Alison Krauss’ beautiful arrangement of Down in the River to Pray will resonate with sweet a capella harmonies, and a fresh and funky version of Jobim’s Agua de Beber will carry you to the beaches of Brazil.
But then, living on an island as we do, many of us spend time Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay. The Just in Time Vocal Jazz Choirs concert will carry you away Like a Bridge Over Troubled Waters. As well, fun arrangements of pop tunes like How Sweet It Is and Adele’s Rolling in the Deep will flow next to standards like The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.
Accompanying the choirs is a terrific rhythm section with Sean Mooney on piano, Grahame Edwards on bass and Jacob Gregory on drums.
And we are proud to present an extra special bonus during the show: Swing Set returns to celebrate Christmas with seasonal jazz music. This perennially popular a cappella jazz quartet, featuring Jenn Forsland, Wendy Nixon Stothert, Michelle Weckesser and Dale Graham, performs during the second part of the evening.
Stothert is an acclaimed music leader in the Comox Valley, directing the Just In Time Vocal Jazz choirs as well as performing solo and with Swing Set. Wendy’s passion and commitment are her musical trademarks.
Forsland fronts the Jenn Forsland Group, directs the Celebration Singers, teaches music privately and in the schools, and is an in-demand adjudicator for music festivals.
Weckesser is a stunning soloist with classical as well as jazz credentials. Her 2011 move to Cowichan Bay has not deterred her from a few return engagements with Swing Set.
Graham is best known for her solo vocals with local group Indigo Jazz, and for her previous work in the folk and Celtic genres.
So even if the weather outside is frightful (to quote lyricist Sammy Cahn), you have a place to go! Join those regular Thursday evening music lovers for a warm, seasonal gathering, and find out why live jazz has become so popular in Comox Valley.
Tickets will be on sale for the Dec. 16 concert by B3 Kings. They can be purchased on Thursday evening from the Jazz Society or during regular business hours from Bop City in Courtenay and Videos N More in Comox.
For more information about GSJS, visit georgiastraightjazz.com or see them on Facebook.
— Georgia Straight Jazz Society